St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services

06/11/2026

🥵 It’s a hot one out there today!

⚠️ St. Mary’s County is under a Heat Advisory from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. today, with heat index values (what it actually feels like) reaching up to 105°F.

Stay safe during the extreme heat:
🏠 Stay indoors when possible
☀️ Limit prolonged time outdoors, especially for physical work or exercise
💧 Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated if you must be outside
🐾 Bring pets indoors and make sure they have plenty of water
🚑 Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Check on elderly family members, neighbors, and anyone who may be vulnerable to the heat. A quick phone call can make a big difference.

Stay cool, St. Mary’s County! ❄️

06/10/2026

Please join us in congratulating Public Safety Dispatch (PSD) Supervisor Lee Milburn on being recognized by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County as a recipient of the 2026 Safety Matters Employee Award! 👏🏆

This County-wide award honors employees who are nominated by their coworkers for consistently demonstrating involvement and leadership in creating and maintaining safety at work for themselves, their coworkers, and the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

PSD Supervisor Milburn was nominated for her proactive approach to safety, consistently identifying potential hazards, offering guidance before issues arise, and fostering a culture of care and accountability within our Emergency Communications Center (ECC). In emergency services, safety is always a priority and PSD Supervisor Milburn leads by example every single day. Known for her thoughtful leadership and genuine care for her team, PSD Supervisor Milburn works tirelessly to ensure a safe, organized, and supportive environment for fellow dispatchers and the citizens of St. Mary’s County. From on-the-job training to preventative corrective actions, her dedication to safety and professionalism is evident in everything she does. 🚨☎️

We are incredibly proud of PSD Supervisor Milburn for this well-deserved recognition and grateful for the positive example she continues to set for our Department and our community. Congratulations, Lee! 🎉

Pictured L to R: Deputy Director Kiersten Shea, PSD Supervisor Lee Milburn, Assistant Communications Manager David Morris

06/04/2026

5/26/26 UPDATE: Additional Testing of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Sirens Scheduled for June 3-5, Following June 1 Full-System Test.

🚨 A full-cycle test of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant alert and notification sirens will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, at noon across St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Dorchester counties.

🆕 Additional testing of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
emergency warning sirens is scheduled to take place Wednesday, June 3 through Friday, June 5, 2026, at various intervals throughout the day.

This scheduled testing helps ensure the siren system is operating properly and increases public awareness of emergency notification procedures.

If sirens sound at any other time, community members should tune in to local radio stations for official information and instructions.

Preparedness matters — knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency can make all the difference when seconds count.

🔗 Learn more and prepare for potential emergencies: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/em

ℹ️ Full News Release:https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2026-117NewsReleaseSirenTesting.pdf

🆕 5/26/26 UPDATE ON ADDITIONAL TESTING:https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2026-119NewsReleaseSirenTesting.pdf

Calvert County Government, Calvert County, Maryland Dorchester County - Government St Marys County, MD St. Marys County Maryland Maryland Emergency Management Association St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack Naval Air Station Patuxent River

06/02/2026

🚑 Please join us in congratulating Alexandra Barnaby on her promotion to Lieutenant! 👏

Lieutenant Barnaby became an Emergency Medical Technician in 2016 and has proudly served with the Department of Emergency Services EMS Division since its inception in 2021. During her time with the Department, she continued advancing her education and earned her Paramedic certification, further strengthening her ability to serve the citizens and visitors of St. Mary’s County.

Lt. Barnaby has consistently demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence in patient care and service. The Department of Emergency Services is excited to welcome her to the EMS leadership team, and we are confident she will continue to make a lasting impact in her new role.

Congratulations, Lt. Barnaby! 🎉

06/01/2026

⛈️ The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its official predictions for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season!

🌀 Prediction: Below-normal activity
📅 Season Dates: June 1 – November 30, 2026
📊 Forecast: 8–14 named storms, with the potential for 1–3 major hurricanes

While this season is predicted to be less active, it only takes one storm to make an impact. Stay weather aware, have a plan, and be prepared throughout hurricane season.

📲 Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts and weather notifications through the St. Mary’s County Regroup Emergency Notification System. Visit stmaryscountymd.gov/alert for more information and to sign up.

Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay safe. 🚨

05/30/2026

We are at the St. Andrews Landfill until noon today handing out FREE sandbags and emergency preparedness kits! Be sure to stop by to get prepared ahead of any potential weather this hurricane season! 🌀⛈️

Atlantic Hurricane Season Starts June 1 — Prepare Before the Storm 🌪️

Join the Department of Emergency Services and the Department of Public Works & Transportation for our Sandbag Distribution Day THIS Saturday, May 30 at the St. Andrews Landfill from 8:00 AM until noon. Take steps now to protect your home and family before Atlantic Hurricane Season begins.

✅ Self-service sandbags available
✅ Emergency Preparedness Kits available while supplies last

Each preparedness kit includes:
🔦 Lantern
🔋 Phone charger
🛏️ Blanket
🥫 Can opener
📘 Emergency preparedness information

The best time to prepare is before a storm is in the forecast. Don’t wait until shelves are empty or weather is headed our way. Make a plan and get ready early.

05/28/2026

Atlantic Hurricane Season Starts June 1 — Prepare Before the Storm 🌪️

Join the Department of Emergency Services and the Department of Public Works & Transportation for our Sandbag Distribution Day THIS Saturday, May 30 at the St. Andrews Landfill from 8:00 AM until noon. Take steps now to protect your home and family before Atlantic Hurricane Season begins.

✅ Self-service sandbags available
✅ Emergency Preparedness Kits available while supplies last

Each preparedness kit includes:
🔦 Lantern
🔋 Phone charger
🛏️ Blanket
🥫 Can opener
📘 Emergency preparedness information

The best time to prepare is before a storm is in the forecast. Don’t wait until shelves are empty or weather is headed our way. Make a plan and get ready early.

05/27/2026

🎓 Congratulations to all of the 2026 graduates! 🎓

This week, the Department of Emergency Services, alongside our valued public safety partners, will be supporting graduation ceremonies at St. Mary's Ryken High School, Great Mills High School, Chopticon High School, and Leonardtown High School.

While graduates celebrate their well-earned moment crossing the stage, our personnel will be working behind the scenes to help ensure a safe and successful event for students, families, faculty, and guests. It is always an honor to support these milestone moments and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of so many students throughout our community.

To the Class of 2026, we wish you success in whatever path comes next. And for those inspired by a future in public service, the Department of Emergency Services is always looking for dedicated individuals ready to serve their community. 🚑🚒🚓

05/22/2026

As EMS Week 2026 comes to a close, we want to recognize and thank the dedicated EMS providers who serve our community every day. 🚑💙

Whether responding to emergency calls in the middle of the night, providing compassionate patient care, training for the next challenge, or supporting one another behind the scenes, our EMTs and Paramedics continuously demonstrate professionalism, resilience, and commitment to improving outcomes together.

Throughout the week, we celebrated our providers with food, games, prizes, and opportunities to spend time together as a team. While we enjoyed taking the time to recognize their hard work, one week of appreciation will never truly be enough to thank them for the challenging and important work they do each and every day for our community.

To our EMS providers: thank you for your sacrifice, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to serving others when they need it most. 👏🚑